Transitional arrangements
On 1 July 2021, the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 (RVSA) commenced in full and replaced the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (MVSA). On this date, a 12-month transitional period also began for certain segments of the industry.
This transitional period has been extended by a further 12 months, until 30 June 2023. This supports segments of the industry that have been affected by the COVID pandemic and global supply chain issues, which have in turn made it challenging for them to transition to the new regulatory framework in time.
All elements of the transitional period have been extended, meaning industry will be able continue operating in the 2022–23 financial year as they had in the 2021–22 financial year.
The purpose of the extension is to allow more time for industry to transition their businesses to operate under the RVSA. It is important businesses continue to make that transition so that they are ready to commence full RVSA operations by 1 July 2023.
Any road vehicle providers that have already transitioned to the new legislative framework will be able to continue providing vehicles using approvals granted to them under the Road Vehicle Standards legislation.
The table below outlines who is affected by the transitional period and how.
During the transitional period, the ONLY applications that can be made through the Vehicle Imports System (VIS) are:
- Low ATM trailer applications, and
- New Low Volume Vehicles holding MVSA approval.
All other application types must be made through ROVER.
RVSA transitional arrangements
The table below explains where to find further information.
| Sector | Change | For more information |
|---|---|---|
|
IPA holders |
Approval holders can continue to plate and supply vehicles subject to MVSA 10A(1) and 10A(2) approvals until 30 June 2023. From 1 July 2023, all road vehicles must be entered on the RAV before they can be provided. Please note, there may be circumstances where a plated vehicle is not eligible to be added to the RAV so you are strongly advised to supply your plated vehicles on or before 30 June. State and territory registration authorities have been notified that they may continue to see plated vehicles presented for registration for a short time after 30 June 2023 where there is a gap between a vehicle being supplied and the new owner presenting it for registration. |
Guidance note—Adding a vehicle manufactured and or imported under the MVSA to the RAV |
|
Registered automotive workshops (RAWs) operations |
MVSA-approved RAWs can continue to operate as an MVSA RAW (i.e. accessing the MVSA and Interim SEVs Lists) until 30 June 2023. |
Operating a RAW during the transition to the RVS legislation—Overview Watch the RAWs transitional arrangements video |
|
Provision of MVSA and Interim SEVs List vehicles |
MVSA-approved RAWs applications to import MVSA SEVs List vehicles (through the RAWS system) closed on 30 April 2023. Approved vehicles must be plated and provided by 30 June 2023. Applications for Interim SEVs List vehicles closed on 31 March 2023. |
Operating a RAW during the transition to the RVS legislation—Overview Visit the registered automotive workshops page. Watch the RAWs transitional arrangements video |
|
Transition from Interim SEVs List to RVSA SEVs Register |
An application must be made to move a vehicle from the Interim SEVs List to the RVSA SEVs Register, but the fee will be waived. Applications can be made up until 30 June 2023. Please note, if the vehicle continues to meet the eligibility criteria as if it were a new application, the vehicle will be added to the list for a renewed 3 year period. If the vehicle no longer meets the eligibility criteria, it will be added to the list for the remainder of the 3 years, commencing from the date it was added to the Interim SEVs List. |
Visit the specialist and enthusiast vehicles page. |
|
Vehicles with an MVSA import approval |
Import approvals issued under sections 11, 12, 13 or 17 can continue to be used until 30 June 2023. If your approval document lists an end date of 30 June 2022 and you will need to use the approval after that date, contact the department to receive an updated document. |
Nil |
|
Constructing low ATM trailers |
Applications to import a trailer able to be modified to comply with VSB1 version 5 Closed on 30 April 2023. Trailers must be plated and provided by 30 June 2023. |
Visit the low ATM trailers page. |
|
Special purpose vehicles (SPVs) |
Between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2023, SPVs will be granted concessional RAV entry approval, even if they cannot demonstrate compliance with applicable ADRs, as long as they meet all other entry criteria. Between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024, SPVs (excluding trailers) must demonstrate compliance with ADRs applicable to brakes, lights and mirrors. SPV trailers must demonstrate compliance with ADRs applicable to brakes, lights and mechanical connections. SPVs will be granted concessional RAV entry approval, even if they cannot demonstrate compliance with applicable ADRs, as long as they meet all other entry criteria. From 1 July 2024, SPVs must meet eligibility criteria set out in the Road Vehicle Standards Rules 2019, including demonstrated compliance with all applicable ADRs unless they can demonstrate that complying with an ADR means the vehicle would not be able to operate for the purpose for which it was designed. |
Importing a special purpose vehicle under the RVS legislation—interim arrangements |
|
Second stage of manufacture (SSM) during the transitional period |
MVSA approval holders can continue to operate in accordance with their MVSA identification plate approval until 30 June 2023. MVSA approval holders can only perform SSM on vehicles that have an identification plate affixed; not vehicles that have been added to the RAV. Under the RVSA framework, entities may perform SSM using either a vehicle type approval or the Registered Automotive Workshop framework. After obtaining RVSA approval, RVSA approval holders can modify vehicles that are fitted with an identification plate OR that are on the RAV. |